The Penn's Grove record., 1887-06-18

went into raptures over Fidessa's Gull
nary skill, dwelling particularly upon
her ability as a maker OF calf's-foot
jelly.
a peculiar smile made itself visible
on the collective family countenance.
"Now, 1 think it's too bad" cried
the Oldest girl, "that my sister and l
should lose not only u jelly, but the
credit Of having made 1t. We devoted
the whole of yesterday to its manufac-
ture, and the chief result Of all our
trouble was to give that angelic sister
of mine an opportunity to supply an
accidental deficiency in a certain lady's
dessert. That cat Of hers must be a
victim OF dyspepsia, If it really gets
away with all it is said to, l felt
tempted to ask if it ever had the d.
IT'S when she came around to ask for
a drop of sherry in a gallon demijohn.
1 would have given her what was left
from clearing the jelly, but papa turned
up, and insisted upon letting her have
the best. With such encouragement,
she will ask next for champagne"
Amy's face was a study. L fairly
roared. If it had not been too late to
pay any more visits, I am sure we
should have traced out in our further
progress through that vicinity, the
origin of the entire menu to which we
had done honor at Fidessa's table.
About a week later / encountered
Oriana one morning early, upon Kearny
street. 1 did not recognize her till she
spoke to me, for she was thickly yelled.
"Ah, l am so glad to have met you,''
she said, excitedIy. 81 am in such a
dilemma, and l could not bear to speak
Of it to anyone. IL want so much to
know-perhaps you could tell me, and
l don't mind 80 much speaking OF it to
you-what Uncle Harris would be
likely to give me for this2" She opened
her hand wide enough to show ms a
glimpse:of a tiny, blue-enameled watch.
81 was afraid they would insult me if
l asked for more than l should"
"What do you want money forf''
1t was a rude, blunt question, and l
put it harshly; but old bachelor friends
are privileged to be rude and blunt, and
| was annoyed to think that Fidessa's
influence might be telling upon her.
She hung her head.
81 want to go home, and l have
nothing to take me-"
Didn't your father"
"Ah, yes; but you see-I spent all he
gave me, and don't want to trouble
him for more. Perhaps he couldn't
spare it very well. I'd much rather
get it this wBy," holding up the watch.
"What have you spent your money
upon2"
She was silent. A new inspiration
struck me.
"You didn't spend 1t all. You lent
it. 1t was borrowed from you by
GAh, hushi" she cried, II didn't
want you to know that. Please don't
tell it to any one She really is &c
good hearted and she has been 80 kind
to me. She has given me so many
presents. Still"
.'Still, you would rather be out OF
her house and home again. You are
right. 1t is no place for you, let heI
be as kind and generous as she may"
The next day / saw the child OFF
home, without, however, calling in the
aid Of Uncle Harris.
When Orlana was gone l set abou.
maturing a scheme | had formed. 1t
wa Quixotic, perhaps, but | thought
the possible cure of fault like FidesSa's
In one whom, despite her idiocyncrasy,
few could help liking, was worth
the trouble of trying to effect. Icalled
upon a carefully chosen number oil her
most intimate friends whom l could
trust, l hoped, not to betray me. They
entered with spirit into my plan. Sim
ultaneously ethey all began to borrow
from her. And she lent 1t to them as
unhesitatingly as she had borrowed
from them, showing no reluctance to
grant all their requests, though they
ran the gamut from q lace scarf to a
bucket of coal, taking evel the gas
globes and door keys. Those In the
secret derived no little amusement in
comparing notes and consulting as To
what out-of-the-way articles they Should
ask for next. This thing grew more
and more exciting as the days went BY
Each c~onspirator's house contained a
vast and miscellaneous collection oil
Fidessa's worldly goods. BY the end
Of a fortnight the discontinue OF
| rided home would have been unendur'
able to one less amiable. but with un'
diminished good humor she continued
to lend. At last a period came wher
those in the plot began to doubt Its
success. There was no punishment II
it to one who felt not its Inconvenience
and knew no reluctance in parting witt
her belongings. The intended lessor
would prove no lesson at all If she never
| took in It's meaning. Fidessa continued
amiably and exasperatingly obtnse
| There was nothing for it in the end buI
| to conide the secret to old Mother
| Cary, under a solemn vow Of silence
| Before the week was out Fidessa'i
| ewes had been opened. First she called
on her female friends and wept. Ther
| she began to toss her head when She
met them In the street and looked The
| other way. Finally the ludicrous side
of the affair seemed to strike her, goot
nature prevailed and she laughed abou'
it with those who persisted in speaking
| to her. She confessed herself justl!
served, and professed to be wholly
| cured. Never again, so long as sh'
| lived, would she ask anything OF any
| body. This resolve was openly ex
pressed, and to no n did 1t prov
more gratifying than to Amys. Blu
| alasl poor fellow, his satisfaction will
the result Of our scheme was shor
lived. One day he camel to me with tn
most rueful expression on his coed
natured face that l have ever seeI
there.
1--WE have banished Fidessa," h
said. ~ knew she was no longer happl
among US, though she tried so amlably
to hide her chagrln. She has broker
up housekeeping and gone away"
$50 l have been told," said quietly
"She has gone east-on a pass"